FREEPORT — Outgoing Freeport Mayor George Gaulrapp seemed at ease as he spoke to his department heads during the city’s weekly team meeting this morning.

“When is the bid letting for Kiwanis, Shawn?” Gaulrapp asked City Engineer Shaun Gallagher in reference to planned construction at the Pearl City Road and Kiwanis Drive intersection.

“It’s looking like August now,” Gallagher responded.

As Gaulrapp went around asking each person in the room what was happening in their department, he also came with another request for each employee. He wants them to submit a written report by Thursday morning for incoming Mayor-elect Jim Gitz.

“He (Gitz) and his transition team will be able to benefit from this,” Gaulrapp said. “I want them to know everything that’s going on in the city.”

Gaulrapp said he wants each report to contain any special projects, progress reports and important information from each department.

“I think it’s the right thing to do,” Gaulrapp said. “The more successful his administration is, the more successful Freeport will be.”

After a contentious Citizen’s Party primary in which Gitz defeated Gaulrapp, Gaulrapp stressed that he has no ax to grind against his former adversary.

“The primary election was two months ago,” Gaulrapp said. “I want to leave the cupboard full and make the transition as smooth as possible.”

Gitz said his biggest concern as he enters office is any hasty action by the City Council that could hinder his administration before it takes office.

“I really truly hope (and) wish that the council will defer action on both the budget and City Hall (until I take office),” Gitz said.

Gitz, who was mayor in 1997-2005 before Gaulrapp took office, said his transition team will be announced soon and hopes for cooperation between the department heads and his group.

“I think this is sort of a joint effort,” Gitz said. “It is my hope that the transition isn’t just limited to ‘here’s a report, find out the rest when you get here,’ but rather an ongoing dialogue.”

The two keys to a smooth transition will be for transparency in both processes and pressing issues said Gitz.

“I would like to see open access to the departments and access in them,” Gitz said. “That has always been a tradition for an incoming mayor in Freeport. If we are able to join the discussion before I take office, I think everyone will benefit.”

The swearing-in ceremony for Gitz will be during the May 20 session of the City Council.